Gift Kashinath Higher Secondary Education!

Kashinath never knew what it was like having a father since his mother Miss Shettevva Metri was a former Devdasi. And very soon he also became devoid of his mother's love. He was merely 12 years old when his mother passed away. But he did not let this tragedy affect his education. He topped his class that year and then cleared the "Morarji Desai and Kittur Rani Chennamma" entrance test, post which he was awarded complete scholarship for his secondary education including his food and accommodation.

He secured 88% in class 10th without any extra coaching or guidance.He then opted for science in class 11th and enrolled himself in New Composite Pre-University College Raibag. To arrange for his tution fees for class 11th, he took a loan of Rs 3500 from his maternal uncle. From the past 3 months, he has been struggling to arrange for his books and notebooks.

I came to know about Kashinath through Shridevi Kamble, a staff of Mahila Abhivrudhi Maththu Samrakshana Samsthe (MASS). Mass is a membership organization for Devadasi women in Belgaum, Karnataka. I told Ms. Shridevi, that I wanted to meet him with all his documents of proof. The same day, he came to the MASS Raybag office, where I checked all his documents to do the financial inspection.

We then sat together to have a little conversation. I asked him, what he wanted to become in future. At once he said, " I want to become a teacher. I want to teach Chemistry and Maths." "

Why do you want to become a teacher?" I asked with curiosity. I was into tears when I listened to what he had to say. He said, " I know this pain very well, this pain of struggling so hard to be able to study. I will definitely help children like me, with all the resources that I can afford... Actually, it's like a lamp that I want to light up, with as much as oil that I can put in." I had no more questions for him. To still be sure about everything, I talked to Ms. Shridevi in the evening, inquired more about his past conditions, understood his expenses & requirements and documented them.

Although government has granted Kashinath a scholarship for his hostel including food, his tution fees, computer class and daily expenses still need to be covered. For your reference, here are the details-

From a very shy kid that I met on the first day, Kashinath is now better known to me an as inquisitive student. After the fundraising completed, we needed someone who could closely mentor Kashinath. While we had continuous support from two mentors in Bangalore, he needed someone to solve his doubts in-person.

At first, I was hesitant to be able guide him with his studies myself. Although Kashinath is now studying in an English medium school, he is not very proficient in the language. However, we started with Mathematics and it went well. After that, he would come to the MASS office or my place on alternate days. At times, I also give him practice problems to solve.

We are able to converse with each other in English with a blend of Kannada.

One day, Kashinath said to me, “Akka, I want to learn full English”. So, we recently purchased a book called RAPIDEX ENGLISH SPEAKING COURSE. He is very glad and keeps expressing his gratitude every now and then.

The funds helped us purchase a new white uniform for him. Not just that, we also purchased all his course text books.

Recently he was unwell, thankfully we could cover his medical expenses smoothly. Soon after the Dusshera break, Kashinath will also enroll for Physics coaching.

My heartfelt gratitude to all the donors who empowered me to support Kashinath in his education.